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Style & beauty

Has your look/style changed in a surprising way as you’ve aged ?

(70 Posts)
Lucca Fri 26-Aug-22 07:40:07

For example I lost most of my hair through chemo and some has grown back so I have very very short close cropped hair and have discovered it actually suits me, and have pretty much abandoned wig scarf etc.

I also can’t wear black any more (my mother was the same)

Pollyanna2 Thu 01-Sept-22 11:35:06

Oh thank you everyone - I now feel perfectly fine with my post chemo hair, knobbly feet, flat bottom and post-op pouchy tummy... It's all normal!!

AussieGran59 Tue 30-Aug-22 04:26:08

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Gilmul Mon 29-Aug-22 19:19:55

Hi, I’ve been on HRT since I was 47, it has benefited me in so many ways, my skin and hair improved very quickly and it helps stabilise weight gain . My main reason was to protect my bones as I age having already got spinal issues from teen surgery. I wish I could wear higher shoes again but like many of you comfort wins every time . My hair is thick and below my shoulders so am v luck in that respect as I love it this length. I hope to grow old gracefullysmile just a note to those ladies with eyebrow issues , look up micro blading , it’s absolutely amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!! I’ve seen outstanding results in women of all ages . Can completely transform your face with “new brows” much love ❤️

Forlornhope Mon 29-Aug-22 18:20:27

I no longer wear wired bras and buy a larger shape of knicker in one size bigger than the tape measure says. Jeez, life is a lot more comfortable!

onebraincell Mon 29-Aug-22 18:15:18

Well, all I'll say is that now I'm pretty wrinkly I'm thinking of having a spider's web tattooed on my face .

TillyTrotter Mon 29-Aug-22 18:12:10

Yes, I care less what other people may think and I dress/ have my hair the way it suits me. Same with footwear - I will not longer teeter on high heels, I wear what I want to.

Gundy Mon 29-Aug-22 18:08:20

Ladies, I’ve read all your contributions here. Just remember one thing… You are all beautiful!! It’s not how you look in the mirror, it’s how you FEEL and THINK. Young at heart and smart, take-charge women who are problem solvers, compassionate humans. Most of all, go easy on yourself. If you show strength, independence and empathy, your attitude will reflect that you are a beautiful person.

Never mind the hair, wardrobe, or whatever ails you, it IS a lift though if you continue to try new things, experiment with colors, make-up, new styles. (Go for it!) Think about how smart you are at this age and the wisdom you’ve acquired. You deserve whatever you want! Cheers!
USA Gundy

narrowboatnan Mon 29-Aug-22 17:57:03

I no longer possess any skirts or dresses or suits, preferring jumpsuits, jeggins, jeans (occasionally), leggings - and I’ve just discovered how comfy jogging bottoms are. I don’t have meetings to go to anymore, so don’t need to dress up in formal clothes. Gone, too, are the satiny pjs, they’ve been replaced with tent-like, ultra stretch and very comfy nighties.

Camelotclub Mon 29-Aug-22 16:58:27

Lucca

For example I lost most of my hair through chemo and some has grown back so I have very very short close cropped hair and have discovered it actually suits me, and have pretty much abandoned wig scarf etc.

I also can’t wear black any more (my mother was the same)

When I lost my hair to chemo it grew back in a crop as yours has. I found it made getting ready of a morning very quick! No styling or blow drying! And I was told it suited me. But then I was a lot thinner back then.

Greciangirl Mon 29-Aug-22 16:33:33

I seem to be in the minority in that I haven’t put on weight.
In fact I’ve lost it, although I’m 77 years old.
I eat healthily probably because my appetite is not huge.

I also hate my wrinkly arms. Horrible!
Another bugbear are my eyebrows. Half of them seem to be missing. Trying to pencil them in Looks artificial to me, so I tend to ignore them.

I still colour my roots and each time I think to myself when will I embrace the grey. But colouring my hair gives me a lift and I feel better about myself afterwards.

lovebeigecardigans1955 Mon 29-Aug-22 15:01:05

My younger, less confident self would be amazed that I have fairly short hair (no longer hiding behind a long style) and wear hardly any make-up.

Chemo meant that when my hair eventually grew back and had gone through its extremely dry phase I never returned to my previous style.

Forget the latest fashions - I wear what I know suits me and to hell with the rest. I don't give a tinker's cuss if my hearing aids are on display and wear big earrings - if they draw attention to the afore-mentioned then so be it.

Yammy Mon 29-Aug-22 13:57:41

henetha

I love that, Yammy, - your bottom has migrated to the front.
Mine too! And there was me thinking I was pregnant! grin.
Oh, for an easy way to avoid the diabetic police! confused

I look pregnant from the side as well. smile
Imagine the Headlines "Gransnetters pregnant ".shock

missdeke Mon 29-Aug-22 13:57:24

I've still got long blonde hair. I've tried different styles through the years, a perm in the 70s, a short cut after losing my hair with chemo, but my hair is fine and wavy and grows very quickly. I find it not only expensive to try to keep it in a short style but it also goes where it chooses so never actually looks styled.
When it's long I can wash it once or twice a week, let it dry naturally or use the straighteners on it and that's it done till the next wash. Plus I can can leave it loose or tie it up as I choose.

hollysteers Mon 29-Aug-22 13:54:31

Yes, crinkly skin. Shirley Ann Field (remember her?) said she noticed one day her legs needed ironing? Same for me, but in some ways I think I look better than at times in the past.
Widowed, with more time on my hands, I enjoy taking the time to dress up. Spanx pull me in, highlights and extensions (not too long) make up, manicures and something nice to wear cheer me up.
After two bouts of cancer, I’m going down fighting.

Jaxjacky Mon 29-Aug-22 13:49:00

Only real change since I retired 6 years ago is all my workwear, smart skirts/jackets/blouses/shoes went out and I reverted to type. That means jeans/shorts/flip flops/trainers or boots, I haven’t worn tights since then either. My hair is growing to my shoulders and it’s always been wash and leave, with a natural wave, home coloured it’s very easy.
I’ve a couple of smartish outfits if I need them.

Theoddbird Mon 29-Aug-22 13:31:23

I am lucky to have very even silver hair. I keep it short and have thirty or so bandanas (one to match everything) I tie round head and knot on top. I am far more bohemian in my style than I used to be. I love my 'landgirl' style dungarees and my preloved Italian
linen dresses and Ella Mode linen jackets. I am 71 and have developed my own style.

Lulu16 Mon 29-Aug-22 13:25:27

Can't seem to wear pale colours, they make me look washed out. I still have very dark eyes and hair, which I highlight but now going to let the grey through. Wear a short bob in the summer, longer bob in the winter.

Can still wear black, but tend to wear bright colours, greens, blues, purples and pinks. Bright colours are cheerful and lift my mood!
Legs are terrible so wear longer skirts and dresses, flat shoes worn a long time ago due to bad back.

I do love my cheap' n'cheerful beads, brooches and scarves, little bits of glitz and decoration is vital for those dark winter months!

Alioop Mon 29-Aug-22 13:15:02

As soon as I got to 17 years old( and earned my money to do it) I couldn't wait to dye my red hair as I got called names about it for years at school. I went blond and then had trips to the hairdresser every 6 weeks to sort out my roots. In my 30s I went back to my red hair and now at 56 it's still red, it's past my shoulders and very thick. I've an odd grey hair that pops up, but it's great, the money I'm saving at the hairdresser is brilliant.
Also a lot of my clothes were black and now I won't wear black at all. I'm so pale and freckly, I just look ill.

winterwhite Mon 29-Aug-22 12:55:42

Hair now a very good white with no help from me, so a plus for that.
Hands and arms OK
Shrinking a great minus - all my skirts are way too long
Shoes the other minus. I go for mary janes. OK in winter in thick tights time but look very clumpy at this time of year.

Keffie12 Mon 29-Aug-22 12:54:00

I'm known fir colour and funky clothing which has developed over the past 20 years slightly changing design over those years.

I started to find myself in my 40s and have developed my own unique style.

I own one black dress kept for "those" occasions when black is required. Bought new in timeless wear 3 years ago.

My last one went to the charity box has I had worn it for my late husband celebration of life service in 2018. I wasn't wearing it again.

I do colour and also my hair too. I have long hair and it will remain that way.

If I ever was to lose my hair because of an illness it would be a wig here. I'm a Leo and my mane is my pride and joy.

This is who I am. Others do what's right for them

nanna8 Mon 29-Aug-22 12:38:50

I’ve still got very thick hair but my brain is getting thicker,too. I can’t remember things like I used to. Also the skin on my legs is getting drier and drier, yucky. I’ve still got all my teeth but I was wondering whether to have them whitened because they are beginning to look a bit creamy yellow, double yuck.

Bijou Mon 29-Aug-22 12:20:14

My arms and legs are now thin and skin like crepe paper but my tummy looks as though I am pregnant.
Used to alway wear earrings and pearl necklace but have given up.

Kittye Fri 26-Aug-22 23:01:23

lixy

Wrinkles! GS mentioned the other day that my arms look like 'that paper we use at Christmas to make the table look nice'. He was being kind but, yes, he did mean crepe paper. At least my arms aren't red, green and white!

Glad to hear your hair suits you Lucca.

I find I'm wearing more unstructured clothes now I'm at home more. I hardly ever wear anything with a waistband anymore.

This made me smile ? Aww love him! I’ve got Christmas paper arms as well ?

CanadianGran Fri 26-Aug-22 22:35:09

Lucca, I'm glad you are feeing comfortable with your short hair, and hope the treatments are going well.

I have to say my style has stayed the same over the years, but now I have a bit more disposable income to buy better quality, and take a bit of planning with my clothing purchases. When I was younger, I was drawn to anything on sale, but often it didn't fit very well into my wardrobe.

My colouring has also changed with my greying hair. I've never worn black much, but now I have veered away from warm earthy colours to more grey, blue and cooler colours.

Also, for years I wore turtlenecks all winter, now I just can't, even though I still like the look.

Georgesgran Fri 26-Aug-22 22:24:29

COLLIN66 - think you’re barking up the wrong tree here!